Tobacco GAP Certification Training 2014

Dr. Bob PearceExtension Tobacco Specialist

US Tobacco

GAPManual

Guidelines remain the same from 2013

US Tobacco Gap

Manual

2014 GAP Record Book

Update

Brief History of Tobacco GAP 2009-2011– Each tobacco company administered their own version of GAP– Multiple sets of expectations– Multiple assessments

Jan 2012: General agreement that an industry-wide GAP was needed NCDA took the lead role all developmental meetings held in Raleigh, NCApril 2012: Draft GAP document prepared October 2012: GAP Document agreed to by tobacco companiesJanuary 2013: “US Tobacco GAP” implementedOctober 2013: Gap Connections formed – December 2013 Grower ID system launched

US Tobacco GAPGAP Connections– Non-profit entity formed and supported by

tobacco buying companies – Formed to administer the GAP program

Provide a framework to decide on GAP changes– What GAPs should be followed – Recordkeeping requirements – Training requirements

Run by a Board of Directors– Each company has a seat (12-14)– Growers representatives (2)

http://www.gapconnections.com

US Tobacco GAPGAP Connections– Developed a grower ID system

Secure database Tracks training history Only companies with which you have a contract will know your training history

– Developing an audit process Contractor agreed onPilot program for 2014Random Selection of Growers

GAP Continuing Education

Annual requirement for training?– Currently, Yes.

Training in each of the three main areas– Crop Management – Environmental Management– Labor Management

Record Book Changes from 2013

By type– Air-cured– Fire-cured– Flue-cured

By field instead of topic– Transplanting– Fertilization– Pesticide– Topping– Harvesting

Increase emphasis on traceability

Records ChecklistIf you currently use an alternative record keeping system that can supply the same information you do not have to use the provided templates.Checklist is a tool for assuring that required records are kept, whether using GAP templates or another system

Required Records are Detailed

Transplants – Source of transplants – Seed lot number should be recorded – Variety name– Date seeded – Pesticides applied– Date transplanted

Required Records are Detailed

Fields– Each field individually identified– Soil test results – When and how much fertilizer– Which pesticide, when, and who applied – Rainfall amounts per event – Irrigation– Planting, topping, harvest dates

Required Records are Detailed

Curing Structures – Each barn individually identified– When housed – Spacing of sticks– How tobacco ordered/cased– When taken down

Efficient Record KeepingDo as much as possible before start of season– Much of the General Records Packet can be completed

preseasonDevelop system of documenting practices daily– Carry notebook and fill out as completed– Pocket notebook, calendar, tablet computer, etc.– Call into central place as operations completed

Update records frequently – Ideally daily

Don’t try to remember anything !!! Document !!!!

GAP Principles for Variety Selection

Selection should be based on– Disease resistance – Curing characteristics and cured leaf quality– Yield– Holding ability

Review variety performance on your farmIdentify and test new varieties Use LC seed

Black Shank % SurvivalVariety 2009 2010 2012 Mean

HB 04PLC 22 3 18 14HP 3307PLC 97 49 44 63Hybrid 404LC 40 3 14 19

KT 204LC 100 66 79 82KT 206LC 97 68 70 78KT 209LC 98 85 91 91KT 210LC 93 66 83 81

KTH 212LC 97 56 31 61KY 14 X L8LC 3 0 2 2

N 7371LC 93 30 39 54NC 2002LC 12 0 - -

NC 7LC 83 16 38 46TN 90LC 90 57 46 64

Seasonal Avg. 71 38 46 55

3 Year Yield Average (No-Stress)

Hybrid

404L

C

NC 7LC

HB 04PLC

KT 204L

C

KT 209L

C

KT 206L

C

KY 14 X

L8LC

KTH 212L

C

KT 210L

C

N 7371

LC

HP 3307

PLC

NC 2002

LC

TN 90LC

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Cur

ed L

eaf Y

ield

(lbs

./A)

Suggested “New” Varieties

Disease-freeModerate black shank

Strong black shank Fusarium

KT 212HB4488PKT 204

KT 209KT 210

KT 210NC 7

H 404HBO4PN 126

May want to use Ridomil or similar fungicide where moderate to heavy black shank is expected

Gap Principles for Pest Control

Crop Management– Accurate Identification of the pest

Extension Agents/Specialists can help– Selection of effective and economical control

methodsTobacco Production Guide ID-160 http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id160/id160.pdf

– Assessing results of control method– Residue Reduction– NTRM reduction

Reduce weeds and suckers in cured leaf

GAP Principles for Pest Control

Environmental Management – Proper storage of pesticides

Secure (locked)Away from tobacco storage

– Reduce reliance on pesticides when possible – Selection of safest alternatives– Proper application methods

Correct rate Calibration of spraying equipment

Field Disease ManagementUse resistant varieties when available Practice good sanitation to prevent spread– Wash off equipment – Sanitize equipment with 10% bleach– Don’t spread stalks in “clean” fields

Use appropriate pesticides when needed– Would Ridomil cure this ?

Field Disease ManagementUse appropriate pesticides when needed– Black Shank

Ridomil– Transplant water application

Ultra-FlourishMeta-Star

– Leaf Spot Disease (target spot and frogeye)Quadris

– 1 time use on transplants at second clipping– 1 well timed application in the field when tobacco is knee to

waist high

Satori– 1 well timed application in the field when tobacco is knee to

waist high

Must have supplemental label at time of application

Must have supplemental label at time of application

Generic Quadris

Insect Management Scout and Treat Approach– Walk field at least 2 times per week– Thresholds

3 or more Flea beetles per plant10% of plants with aphid colony10% of plants with a worm

Insect Management Preventative Approach– Use a neoncitinoid product in transplant water

for aphid and flea beetle.Low cost EffectiveRelatively safe

– Use Coragen for worm control in transplant water

Effective Relatively safe

– Still need to scout in case of control failure

WeedManagement

Competition– Space– Light– Nutrient– Water

Harbor DiseasePhysical Damage– Morningglories– Honeyvine Milkweed

NTRM

Herbicide Options for Tobacco in Kentucky

Brandname

Chemical name

Grasses Nutsedge (Cyperus)

Pigweed(Amaranthus)

Ragweed(Ambrosia)

Command Clomazone ++++ + + ++++

Devrinol Napropamide ++++ + ++ ++

Prowl* Pendimethalin ++++ N ++++ +

Spartan Sulfentrazone ++ ++++ ++++ +

Poast Sethoxydim ++++ N N N

* Other Brand names: Acumen, Pendant 3.3 EC, and Stealth

Herbicide Trial

0500

1000150020002500300035004000

CHK Mech Prowl Command Spartan + Command

Washington County

New Formulations/Rates

Spartan 4F8 oz/A10 oz/A12 oz/A

Spartan Charge10.2 oz/A12.8 oz/A15.2 oz/A

• Use higher rate on fine textured soils or when pressure from morningglory or yellow nutsedge is high.• Mix with Prowl or Command to improve grass control

• Prowl H2O: 2 pts/A when mixed with Spartan • Command: 1.5 pts/A when mixed with Spartan

GAP Principles for Sucker Control

Apply appropriate sucker control materials to achieve good sucker control– Increase leaf yield and quality– Reduce NTRM

Minimize undesirable residues– MH residue a concern

Less than 80 ppmLess than 50 ppm for some

Tips For Good Sucker ControlUse a combination of MH and DNA (Butralin, Prime+, Flupro)– 1.0 to 1.5 gallons MH – 0.5 gallons of DNA

Properly maintain spray equipment – Use nozzles that deliver a coarse spray – Pressure 20 to 30 psi– 3 nozzles per row maximizes coverage

Use adequate water (at least 50 G/A)Do not spray in the heat of the day when plants are under stressSpray fewer rows at a time

GAP Principles for Nutrient Management

Fertilization Should be based on:– Soil type– Crop Rotation– Soil test (no more than 2 years old)

Confirm fertilizers are appropriate for use on tobaccoFollow recommendations for manure useImplement required nutrient management plans – If applying either fertilizer or manure a plan is

required in KY!

Problem for 2014

Fertilizer dealers report a shortage of 0-0-50– Less 0-0-50 imported this year – More 0-0-50 being used on other high

value crops– Maybe localized (some areas have may

have adequate supply)

Why can’t we just switch to 0-0-60

High chloride in tobacco

Poor cured leaf color– dingy, muddy, variegated

Imparts unpleasant flavor and aroma to smokeReduces burn rateCause cured leaf to hold moisture– moldy stems / fat stems– high case can lead to rot during storage

Impact of Chloride on Cured Leaf Moisture

% Cl in cured leaf

% Moisture at 70% RH

% Moisture at 80% RH

0.9 17.0 21.71.4 18.0 23.11.7 18.2 23.61.9 18.5 23.92.1 19.0 24.62.3 18.9 24.9

Effect of K source on leaf yield and Cl content

Muriate Cl Lbs. SO4 Yield Cl content %

0 0 282 2774 0.36

100 50 211 2854 0.87

200 100 141 2903 1.28

300 150 71 2951 1.60

400 200 0 2935 1.94

240 lbs. K20/A 4 year avg.

Problem for 2014 How do we respond?

Use soil test to determine potash need and apply no more than recommended Apply up to 100 pounds of 0-0-60 per acre to provide the first 60 pounds of potash needed – If you did not apply 0-0-60 in fall– If you did not apply animal manures in the

springUse 0-0-50 for remaining potash need if availableUse alternate sources of low Cl potash

Alternate Sources of Low Cl Potash

Check with dealer for local availability 0-0-22– K-Mag– Sul-Po-Mag– Trio

Use “tobacco” blends but check labeling for max chloride – 5-10-15– 6-12-18

GAP Principles for Labor Management

GAPs for Labor Management Determine your labor requirements and source of labor– PLAN AHEAD!!– Be realistic about your labor needs (every

operation is different)– For burley tobacco production

159 to 197 person-hours per acre total48 to 60 person-hours per acre cut and house51 to 73 person-hours per acre strip and market prep

– Determine your peak demand

Peak Labor Demand (Example)

Assumptions:– 50 Ac of burley to harvest (mid August – September)– 50 person-hours per acre cut and house– 1 day off per week– 1/3 of remaining days not suitable for harvest (rain)– 10 hours working per day

Approximately 24 harvest days or about 2.1 Ac per day105 person hours per day10 to 11 workers everyday for 6 weeks

GAPs for Labor Management Determine your labor requirements and source of labor– Family

Reliability ??– Seasonal/Migrant Workers

Reliability ?Authorized to work in US?

– Farm Labor Contractor (FLC)Reliability ? Registered?

– H2A Worker ProgramReliable Higher out of pocket cost?

GAPs for Labor Management Determine and comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.– Seasonal Workers– Migrant Workers

Have on file an I-9 form for all “paid” employees

Fair Labor Standards ActPost FLSA Poster specific to “Agricultural Employees”Overtime pay provisions do not apply for “agricultural” workMinimum age requirements

– Generally do not apply to minors working for parent owned farm– Must be over 16 to work in “hazardous” jobs on farm

Record keeping requirements– Payroll records should be kept for 3 years– Time record should be kept for 2 years

GAPs for Labor Management Fair Labor Standards Act– Minimum wage provisions may apply

If you used more than 500 man-days of farm labor in any calendar quarter of the preceding calendar year.Man-day = any day in which an employee does farm work for at least one hourDoes not apply to immediate family members If you pay by piece-rate, specify expected minimum rate of output to insure hourly minimum wage rate is met. Current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour

GAPs for Labor Management Determine and comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.– Seasonal Workers – Migrant Workers

Migrant and Seasonal Worker Protection Act applies – Post MSPA poster

DisclosureWages HousingTransportation

GAPs for Labor Management Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act– Disclosure

Each migrant worker must be provided with a written disclosure at the time of recruitment (also posted at worksite)

– In the worker’s native language

Each seasonal worker must be provided with a verbal disclosure at time of recruitment and written disclosure upon request

– Items to be disclosed 1. Place of employment 2. Wages rates to be paid3. The crops and kinds of activities involved4. The period of employment 5. Any benefits (transportation/housing) provides and charges 6. The existence of any strike or other work stoppage at jobsite7. Any relationship between employer and suppliers to workers8. Whether worker compensation insurance is provided

GAPs for Labor Management Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act– Wages

Pay all wages when due– At the rate disclosed– Not less than minimum wage– At least semi-monthly – Deposit and report any taxes withheld

Provide worker with itemized statement of wage calculations– Employer name address and EIN or SS number

Include any deductions for housing etc. that were disclosed initially

– Housing (if provided to migrant workers)Must be inspected prior to occupancyCertificate of occupancy posted on-siteContact information for housing provider posted on-site

GAPs for Labor Management Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act– Transportation (if provided)

Any vehicles used must be properly insured.Operated by properly licensed driver.Vehicle must meet all federal and state safety standards

– Additional Requirements for Farm labor Contractor Certifications to provide transportation requiredCertification to drive required

GAPs for Labor Management Determine and comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.– Farm Labor Contractor (FLC)

You negotiate a price and pay the agreed upon price to a crew leader. Crew leader schedules the work, recruits and pays the individual workers.

Fair Labor Standards Act appliesMigrant and Seasonal Worker Protection Act applies – While workers are putting in your crop they are likely

considered to be in “joint employment” Both you and the FLC are responsible for complianceCheck that FLC is registered with the Dept. of Laborhttp://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/FLCList.htm

GAPs for Labor Management Determine and comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.– H2A Guest Worker Program

Fair Labor Standards Act appliesMigrant and Seasonal Worker Protection Act appliesAdditional Requirements of the H2A Program – Post H2A Worker Rights Poster – Pay worker’s visa fees– Provide transportation to and from worker’s home– Provide transportation to and from work site– Provide housing while in employment– Guarantee at least ¾ of work hours specified in work contract

GAPs for Labor Management H2A Guest Worker Program– Start Early with Process– Choose a Reputable Agent

Assist with contract terms and guarantees File applications with appropriate agencies Assist with advertising requirementsAssist with worker recruitment Assist with visa processing

GAPs for Labor Management Implement a worker training program– Crop Integrity

Grade separationMoisture and bale weight requirementsNTRM reduction

– Safety General farm safety Tobacco barn safety Green tobacco sickness

Questions?